Texas Juries Decide Child Custody Cases
UPDATE: I've included a reader's pragmatic perspective on why many Texas parents choose not to ask for jury trials.
Children's Rights
Court Dismisses Suit Against N.Y. Times & Serial Productions over The Idiot Podcast
The podcast is M. Gessen’s story about cousin Allen Gessen (who is the plaintiff in this case) and his murder-for-hire conviction. Extra juicy tidbit in this case: Venue!
Parents Aren't Required to "Unquestioningly Accept and Support Their Minor Children's Claims of Transsexual Identity or Preferred Pronouns"
From a termination of parental rights decision by the Ohio Court of Appeals.
Court Backs First-Grader in Suit Over School Reaction to 'Any Life' Matters Drawing
Yes, 6-year-old students have First Amendment rights, the 9th Circuit says.
"Stalking-Type Behavior"/"Coercive Control" of Minor Stepdaughter, or "Salutary" "Parental" Behavior?
"[T]he trial court identified only two actions that purportedly constituted 'coercive control': the first was 'coordinating with someone Mia thought was her friend to deliver her' to her parents, and the second was an 'unreasonable level of monitoring a nearly grown woman,' which the trial court stated 'is concerning.'"
How a Kids' Soccer Game Became a Child Welfare Case
A routine neighborhood soccer game was escalated into a state investigation, illustrating how ordinary parenting disputes are increasingly routed through government systems.
Lawsuit Alleges New York Holds Juveniles in Solitary Cells Without Toilets
"Youth must ask to be released from their cells to use the bathroom or be forced to use garbage pails, water bottles, food containers, or buckets to relieve themselves," the lawsuit says.
She Let Her 6-Year-Old Ride to the Park Alone. Georgia Called It Neglect.
Despite a new state law protecting childhood independence, child welfare officials accused these Atlanta parents of neglect—and put their family under surveillance.
Should Child Protective Services Intervene More?
Naomi Schaefer Riley and Martin Guggenheim debate the proper role of child protective services.
Arizona Parents' Bill of Rights Claim Over School's Concealment of Child's "In-School Gender Transition" Can Go Forward,
rules an Arizona appellate court, rejecting defendants' claims that the case was moot, and wasn't timely filed.
10 Times That 2025 Tried To Stop Kids From Growing Up
Parents faced arrests, investigations, and fear-driven rules—but there was also meaningful progress toward making independence normal again.
N.Y. State Police Attempt to Get "Red Flag" Gun Ban Order Against 11-Year-Old Girl Was "Legally Frivolous," "Needlessly Risk[ed] Further Injury"
The basis for the attempt was that the girl had texted a classmate that she was thinking of hanging herself.
Mother's Telling Children She Thinks Thor Actor Chris Hemworth Is Their "Spiritual Father" Didn't Preclude Award of Custody to Her
"There was also evidence presented regarding Liza's alleged delusional thinking and hallucinations. Eli testified that Liza told him Kenneth was his physical father, but actor Chris Hemsworth was his spiritual father. Eli also testified that for years Liza had talked about having another daughter someday, whom she would name Phoebe, and Hemsworth would be the father. Brigham testified that Liza told him she believed Hemsworth was the children's father." Plus unschooling, unbathing, and more.
Americans Need More and Better 'Third Places.' User Fees Can Help.
As traditional gathering places disappear, market-based funding could expand parks, courts, and other spaces that help people reconnect without raising taxes.
Tradwives Are Feminists, Too
Tradwives are fighting the cultural stigma that still remains around being a homemaker. That makes them damn good feminists.
An Indiana Mom Left Her Kids Home for an Hour. Her Husband's Ex-Wife Called Child Services.
After her husband’s ex repeatedly called child protective services over harmless parenting decisions, Hannah Bright is advocating for a new law to protect families from weaponized reporting.
The CHAT Act Won't Protect Kids, But it Might Break the Internet.
By forcing government ID verification for AI tools, Congress risks censoring everyday digital services and driving young Americans to unsafe overseas platforms.
Mom Placed on Child Abuse Registry for Letting 13-Year-Old Babysit
Pennsylvania’s “Reasonable Independence for Children” bill pushes back on overzealous child neglect laws.
Parents Still Lose Kids to Discredited 'Shaken Baby' Claims
A Texas couple lost their children for six months after a doctor blamed a fragile infant’s medical crises on abuse.
How We Criminalized Childhood
Journalist and activist Lenore Skenazy explains how fear and over-parenting left kids more anxious and less independent, and and how a movement to restore that independence is gaining ground.
Should We Take More Kids From Their Homes or Fewer?
When children are abused, we want government to step in. But Child Protective Services sometimes goes too far.
Child Protective Services Investigated Her 4 Times Because She Let Her Kids Play Outside
A mom who trusted her kids to play outside ended up under repeated investigation.
Kids Don't Want Screens—They Want Freedom
A new poll finds that children crave real-world play with friends, not more screen time. But we’ve made that nearly impossible.
Georgia Couple Whose Daughters Were Taken After False Child Abuse Claims File Lawsuit
Matt and Tuckey Hernandez lost their daughters for two years after their infant's medical issues were misidentified as abuse.
Aspen Police Department Warns Kids Having Fun Is a Crime
“You could end up with a ticket or a trip to the emergency room.”
Mom Arrested, Facing 5 Years in Prison for Leaving 8- and 10-Year-Old Boys at Home
A new Georgia law could protect Alexandra Woodward's parental decision—but it doesn't go into effect until July.
Texas Closed Its Investigation Against These Parents. Why Are Their Names on a Child Abuse Registry?
A medical dispute over jaundice treatment prompted the state to take custody of Rodney and Temecia Jackson’s daughter for more than three weeks.
Will Florida Teens With Sexually Transmitted Diseases Have To Tell Their Parents Before They Can Get Treatment?
These bills would require exactly that—and a lot more.
Missouri 13-Year-Old Suspended for Making a Rifle Out of Dr. Pepper Cans
The boy and his mother are now suing the school district and its officials to protect students' right to free expression.
Can a Pop Song Violate Children's Rights?
In Colombia, a court claims the answer is yes. Could that happen here?
Cops Called on Dad for Playing Catch with 14-Year-Old Son at Park
"What is the end game here? Can you write a citation? Can you take me to jail?"
Georgia Backs Bill To Reaffirm Independent Kids, Protect Free-Range Parents
"Some people think that this is not one of those things that's super important—until you're affected by it," says David DeLugas.
Why Do I Keep Finding Padlocked Playgrounds in New York City?
We're hemorrhaging our child population for a reason.
